In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, Todd Embley sits down with Antoaneta Becker, Director of Consumer Economy at the China-Britain Business Council, to delve into China's dynamic and ever-evolving e-commerce landscape.

Antoaneta, an expert on the Chinese market, discusses the upcoming China Consumer event hosted by CBBC, its strategic importance for UK brands, and the latest trends influencing China’s consumer economy.

Antoaneta delves into China's e-commerce sector, contrasting China’s ecosystem with the UK's digital marketplaces, and identifies high-growth consumer sectors that UK brands can capitalize on. Antoaneta also provides her perspective on whether British brands should emphasize their national identity in the Chinese market. Finally, she addresses common challenges UK brands encounter in China and offers strategic advice for navigating these complexities successfully.

Discussion Points:

• Antoaneta Becker’s career path and role at the China-Britain Business Council.
• Detailed insights into the China Consumer 2024 event, including its agenda and expected outcomes for UK brands.
• Current trends and growth sectors in China’s e-commerce landscape.
• The strategic advantage of British identity in the Chinese market.
• Challenges faced by UK brands in China and strategies to overcome them.

In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley is joined by Mike Todd, a seasoned expert in international business development with a rich history of helping consumer brands expand into APAC markets. Mike shares invaluable insights from his experiences with major brands like Hunter, Swims, Uggs, and Mizuno and discusses the strategies that led to their success in these competitive regions.

Starting with exploring his strategic approach for each brand, Mike delves into the APAC region's unique market dynamics and consumer behaviors that influenced his tactics. He also talks about the inception and growth of his proprietary brand, providing a firsthand look at the challenges and rewards of building a brand from the ground up.

As a Senior Advisor at Dearin & Associates, Mike outlines his role in assisting companies to navigate the complexities of international expansion. He highlights common pitfalls to avoid and offers tailored advice for Australian brands considering entering or expanding within the Chinese market and other international arenas.

The conversation wraps up with Mike’s forecast for the future, pinpointing sectors and markets that present lucrative opportunities for Australian brands aiming to go global. His advice is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the intricacies of international brand expansion.

In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, Todd Embley hosts Marlene Sharp, an entertainment executive known for her role in globalizing Japanese game franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog. Throughout her career with LEVEL-5 abby and Sega of America, Marlene tackled the unique challenges of adapting Japanese franchises for global audiences. Now leading Pink Poodle Productions, she utilizes her extensive experience to provide specialized services for IP franchises that span the Asian and North American entertainment markets.

During the discussion, Marlene addresses the evolving landscape of international entertainment, emphasizing the rising influence of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese franchises in the West.

Discussion Points

· Marlene’s transition from working in traditional entertainment roles to specializing in Asian media properties.

· Challenges of adapting Japanese game franchises for global markets.

· The role of cultural considerations in international entertainment.

· Services offered by Pink Poodle Productions and their relevance to Asian markets.

· Differences in collaboration styles between Japanese and Korean partners.

· The evolving influence of Asian content in Western entertainment.

· Advice for navigating cross-cultural boundaries in the entertainment industry.

· Future projects and new markets of interest in Asia.